Mly old laptop (Gateway running XP) kept shutting itself down periodically so I replaced it with an HP running Vista. I wanted to transfer all my files but now the old laptop shuts downs within a few seconds of loading Windows. Can I transfer files using a USB cable if the old laptop won't turn on? How else can I get my files out of the dead laptop? Thanks--

It can be done only if you use a power adapter to connect the old harddrive to.

Another way is to purchase an external harddrive enclosure for 20 dollars or so and install the old harddrive to it. Connect it up and transfer the data files (no programs or applications can be transferred. Once done then format the old drive and you have yourself an external storage.

edit....make sure the enclosure supports the connection of your harddrive as there is IEDE and SATA connections for the harddrives.

Thanks--this sounds a bit beyond my technological capability at this point, but I will contact a more savvy relative to see if she can do this for me.

the answer that u get from lurkswithin is right but hp sucks u know so if u are buying a new laptop buy apple acer dell(alienware) or asus those are the best!

thinkpad fan here!
lenovo thinkpad model laptops are good too

my personal points for purchasing a laptop include
1. the specifications that i need for the best price
2. brand reputation
3. warranty availability (should be at least 3 years warranty)

at the office we have about 70 ibm/lenovo thinkpad laptops. some are as old as R51 (single cores and only 40gb hdisk!) and relatively newer models like R61 and T61's.

ive noticed that the thinkpad laptops worked fine until they reached 3 years old -- at around this time random problems happened - motherboard, lcd problems.

short story on this - go to ebay and search for USB 2.0 to SATA IDE Cable Power Adapter for Hard Drives. Pull the hard drive out of the computer and plug it into the drive adapter and the new computer usb port. (I found the usb adapter at ebay for $2.99 USD..) Or look for a drive docking station -got to match the drive type EIDE or SATA - the other adapter has it.. and to note I use this method to also salvage virus infected machines as they are not primary OS drives anymore.. ie virus is dead

avast antivirus is the best u just register for free and u set all detections on high and u re save from viruses!!!

Overheating problems on lenovo and hp!!!